CWA FIRSTS: Guild Local Pact a First for Industry

The Suburban Writers and Photographers of the Philadelphia Inquirer, a unit of TNG-CWA Local 10, has ratified its first contract, four years in the making, by an overwhelming vote of 78-12.

"This is the first time in the history of the newspaper industry that independent contractors have unionized and successfully attained a collective bargaining agreement," said CWA Vice President Linda Foley, who heads The Newspaper Guild.

"Congratulations to all - this is an amazing milestone in the fight to bring bargaining rights to freelancers," said Larry Cohen, director of organization and assistant to CWA President Morton Bahr.

In the mid-1980s, Philadelphia Newspapers Inc., seeking to provide broader coverage of local issues on a budget, hired about 130 "stringers" - freelance reporters and photographers - to supplement staff represented by TNG Local 10.

"As they came into the office and used the facilities, it was clear to us they were not independent contractors, they were employees," said Eric Geist, TNG-CWA director of field operations, who with Local 10 President Kitty Caparella in 1993 led the organizing drive that brought the unit together.

When they joined TNG, said Geist, the freelancers were earning about half as much as represented staff and had few benefits and inferior health plans.

Under their new 26-month contract, top-scale reporters will earn $710 for a 40-hour week, compared to the $450 most earned for working four days. Photographers, in addition to raises, will receive a $49 per week camera allowance to cover purchases and repairs. The contract also includes improved health insurance, child care and medical "flexible spending accounts," a 401(k) plan, participation in the local Guild pension plan and sick leave up to 7 weeks based on years of service.

"In the last two years, we have rewritten every word of this contract. It has gone from mere words to a living entity that will guide and protect the people who have entrusted us with their future," said David Warren, suburban unit chair.

"We are thrilled," said Caparella. "The long struggle paid off."